Outdoors 101

Q & A with ACMG certified guide Olivia Sofer  By Jane Marshall   There is both risk and beauty awaiting those who venture into the mountains in winter.…

By Jane Marshallseejanewrite.ca Preparing for international travel involves planning and prep. It’s so fun. Really! You get to think about all the adventure…

By Bertie Cowen  Whether you’re going diving with sharks, trekking to Alaska to catch a glimpse of grizzly bears, or of just checking out the birds in your own…

By Evan Wishloff  Campers Village and the Quest for the Holy Grayl  Not much beats the beauty of the backcountry, and…

Lessons learned from taking a first-timer on the Berg Lake Trail  By Evan Wishloff  This past Canada Day, I booked a backcountry campsite at Berg Lake to take my…

By Evan Wishloff    It’s that time of year again – the time when our weekends get filled with adventurous escapes. A quintessential part of any weekend adventure is regrouping in the evening, regaling in…

By James Schutz Camp food. It doesn’t have to be all half-burnt-half-raw smokies and jumbo bags of Doritos. With a little pre-planning and prep before you leave, you can graduate from hot-dog hoser to outdoor Jamie Oliver this…

By Jane Marshallseejanewrite.ca It’s 1:30am. Mother nature has pulled a shiny layer of ice across the Icefields Parkway. The road is black…

No matter what time of year it is, there’s one type of jacket I always have in my pack. And that’s down. I have several down jackets which I’ve accumulated over the years: A…

By Jane Marshall I admit it. I am NOT the world’s best fire maker. When out at our family cabin at Wabamun Lake, or camping in the mountains, my fires often start strong… but then the flames get…

by Jane Marshallseejanewrite.ca Don’t be intimidated! Being a newbie camper makes you cool. Whether you’re new to this country, starting out on your own, or have just always…

by Jane Marshallseejanewrite.ca Time to get on the water! It’s morning. The lake is still. You bring your boat to the water’s edge and push the nose in. Soon you’re…

By Jane Marshallseejanewrite.ca In a province that receives a generous dose of snow and sub zero temperatures, why not get into cross country skiing? It’s a way to stay connected to…

by Jane Marshallseejanewrite.ca Buying quality outerwear is an investment. You want to make sure you get just the right wardrobe piece for your activity of choice, whether it’s snowshoeing…

by Jane Marshallseejanewrite.ca Have you ever been truly drenched in the great outdoors? The kind of drenched where your hair is dripping and even your underwear’s soaked? It’s no…

By Jane Marshallseejanewrite.ca Your feet. They’re your connection to the earth. Your foundation. And if you don’t treat them well, they do protest. Black toenails (think Wild),…

What season? One Season – Summer bags. Good for keeping in the car, or using for sleepovers. Three Season – Rated for spring or autumn, these bags are also a warmer option for summer camping however not warm…

Below is a list of important things to consider when choosing clothing layers. Base Layer Clothing Keeps skin warm and dry. Should be made from material that wicks…

What size? Does the pack offer the storage required for your excursion? Shorter trips will usually require less than 50 lbs of gear therefore a day pack or midsize pack would be a great fit. If you’re planning to carry more than…

Consider what you need before buying. Select a tent that is made for the conditions and purpose that you’ll be experiencing most of the time. Remember, a backpacking tent can always be used on the occasional car camping…

If you can walk, you can snowshoe. It's that easy! Let us help you find the right pair. Modern snowshoes have certain basic components to help you move through snow: A tubular metal frame, nylon or plastic decking to float your feet,…